My best friend wants to see "Sicko," and she wants me to go with her because her husband, who is a doctor, probably won't want to see it.
Michael Moore (who brought you Fahrenheit 9/11, just what we needed - NOT) was interviewed the other evening, and he started spilling all these medical horror stories, courtesy of the insurance companies.
Yes, our health care system is one of the worst in the world when it comes to having gum-chewing clerks and computer programs determine what kind of care we need. It doesn't speak well when an HMO refuses to pay for an ambulance from a motor vehicle accident which left the patient unconscious for several hours because the service was not pre-authorized.
But, Mr. Moore, do you have to CRAM your one-sided views down our throats? Virtually every one of us lives with this problem everyday. Some people have no insurance. Others have to deal with HMOs or Disability or Medical Assistance. And guess what, people like my friends husband and I, who WORK in medicine, don't need to be reminded of what we deal with on a routine basis.
When I go to a movie, I want to be entertained, or I want to learn something, or I want to have my brain challenged - not be reminded of what I already know and see every single day.
Mr. Moore, your movie will not fix a problem. It will create more anger and more frustration and a greater sense of helplessness. Guess what, Mr. Moore - If you're not part of the solution, you know where you fit in.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Shopping and a DVD
First, when I don't post for a while, I get a case of verbal diarrhea and can't stop blogging. My apologies to those who stumble on my blogs from today.
I had to go to an outlet store to purchase some "unmentionables." Hey - necessity of life, and they're not life-long wearing. Back to the subject. I was browsing in the plus-size section and happened to encounter a mom buying a sixth-grade graduation dress for her daughter. Both mom and daughter were plus-size, and the 12-year-old was feeling really depressed because of the selection of clothing. Having a BIG mouth to match my equally BIG rear and mid section, I started a conversation with them and aimed it toward this 12-year-old. "I already tried that dress on a few weeks ago, in all three sizes, and they all fit the same. So, if a dress doesn't fit, the problem is with the dress and not YOU." Her grateful mom said the same thing. So we made conversation and browsed clothing racks. Everytime this young lady would say, "But that looks old," her mother or I would find something younger and fresher. She was finally ushered to the fitting room with easily 20 pieces of clothing - dresses, two-piece sets, and some really cute tops and skirts. She kept saying, "I hope something fits me." I didn't have time to stay for the entire trying-on, nor did I feel it my place. But I did get to see this lovely young lady emerge from the fitting room in outfit #1, a top and skirt that were right in style (very important to a young person) and fit her as well as anything would. She loved the outfit, and she looked pretty. Her mom and I made a huge fuss over her. She went back to try on outfit #2, and I talked to the mom (also a plus-size woman) one-on-one for a minute. I congratulated her on her daughter's achievement and on what a pleasure it was to meet her and her daughter and two sons. I suggested that all the outfit needed was a necklace with some color, and she would be stunning. We also discussed body image and finding clothes. My last remark to the little girl was, "Walk proud, young lady. You are an intelligent, lovely girl. No one can take that away from you."
Now, onto the DVD. My best friend and I did a concert a couple weeks ago at a very sophisticated retirement community. They record their performances on DVD for closed-circuit broadcast to residents who choose not to go to the auditorium. They can watch the performance on TV! I got my DVD yesterday, and my first comment was, "Who the hell is that fat woman singing with my best friend?" Uh.....it was me. Oh shit! After losing 65 pounds and starving myself to fit into a Renaissance costume so that I could remain in that ensemble, I've put back on at least 30 pounds.
After a few minutes of camera-shock, a few things came to mind. First, the camera DOES add weight. The angle adds weight. When I turned and faced a different direction, the view was definitely better. I got through watching and listening to the rest and decided my problem wasn't me - it was the outfit! It was too clingy. Easy solution - get rid of that outfit, no matter how pretty a shade of blue it is and wear something in a different material, with a different cut.
Like I told the 12-year-old, if a dress doesn't fit, it's not YOU - it's the dress.
No, I'm not going on a crash diet or switching over to salads and Slim-Fast. I'm going to eat as sensibly as possible, make sure that I'm not getting too much refined sugar, and enjoy life and enjoy food. Size is a number. A person's appearance is a matter of perception. Hey - it is really smoke and mirrors!
I had to go to an outlet store to purchase some "unmentionables." Hey - necessity of life, and they're not life-long wearing. Back to the subject. I was browsing in the plus-size section and happened to encounter a mom buying a sixth-grade graduation dress for her daughter. Both mom and daughter were plus-size, and the 12-year-old was feeling really depressed because of the selection of clothing. Having a BIG mouth to match my equally BIG rear and mid section, I started a conversation with them and aimed it toward this 12-year-old. "I already tried that dress on a few weeks ago, in all three sizes, and they all fit the same. So, if a dress doesn't fit, the problem is with the dress and not YOU." Her grateful mom said the same thing. So we made conversation and browsed clothing racks. Everytime this young lady would say, "But that looks old," her mother or I would find something younger and fresher. She was finally ushered to the fitting room with easily 20 pieces of clothing - dresses, two-piece sets, and some really cute tops and skirts. She kept saying, "I hope something fits me." I didn't have time to stay for the entire trying-on, nor did I feel it my place. But I did get to see this lovely young lady emerge from the fitting room in outfit #1, a top and skirt that were right in style (very important to a young person) and fit her as well as anything would. She loved the outfit, and she looked pretty. Her mom and I made a huge fuss over her. She went back to try on outfit #2, and I talked to the mom (also a plus-size woman) one-on-one for a minute. I congratulated her on her daughter's achievement and on what a pleasure it was to meet her and her daughter and two sons. I suggested that all the outfit needed was a necklace with some color, and she would be stunning. We also discussed body image and finding clothes. My last remark to the little girl was, "Walk proud, young lady. You are an intelligent, lovely girl. No one can take that away from you."
Now, onto the DVD. My best friend and I did a concert a couple weeks ago at a very sophisticated retirement community. They record their performances on DVD for closed-circuit broadcast to residents who choose not to go to the auditorium. They can watch the performance on TV! I got my DVD yesterday, and my first comment was, "Who the hell is that fat woman singing with my best friend?" Uh.....it was me. Oh shit! After losing 65 pounds and starving myself to fit into a Renaissance costume so that I could remain in that ensemble, I've put back on at least 30 pounds.
After a few minutes of camera-shock, a few things came to mind. First, the camera DOES add weight. The angle adds weight. When I turned and faced a different direction, the view was definitely better. I got through watching and listening to the rest and decided my problem wasn't me - it was the outfit! It was too clingy. Easy solution - get rid of that outfit, no matter how pretty a shade of blue it is and wear something in a different material, with a different cut.
Like I told the 12-year-old, if a dress doesn't fit, it's not YOU - it's the dress.
No, I'm not going on a crash diet or switching over to salads and Slim-Fast. I'm going to eat as sensibly as possible, make sure that I'm not getting too much refined sugar, and enjoy life and enjoy food. Size is a number. A person's appearance is a matter of perception. Hey - it is really smoke and mirrors!
Manners? Self-respect?
Yesterday, my best friend and I attended a matinee of "Side by Side by Sondheim," a well-crafted, beautifully performed cabaret of Sondheim's music. This is not easy to sing! There were 4 singers and 2 pianists, and the theater had been re-vamped so that the audience was virtually on the stage. LOVED IT! Kudos to the artists of the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, who sang and danced and acted their way into my heart.
THEY DESERVED A BETTER AUDIENCE!!!!!!!!
Philadelphia added a new definition to the term "Ignorant Slob." Okay - a matinee does not call for the glitter of an evening performance, but it certainly calls for a certain level of dress. Easily one-half of the audience wore shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers!!!!!! Where were they going, the bowling alley? They were dressed worse than actors dress for rehearsal. Now for the kicker - these were ADULTS, many over 40. Out of the 100 or so people in this intimate cabaret setting audience, maybe 10 of us were in dresses or skirts.
Have people gotten so casual and so disrespectful of themselves and others that they want to be seen as slobs? What an insult to the actors to perform to a bunch of shorts and t-shirts!
Philadelphia was not hot yesterday, actually quite comfortable, so the weather is no excuse. This is not a famous musical like "Carousel," which was performed downstairs on the main stage of this theater. So, one would assume that people who are acquainted with Sondheim, especially this production which virtually has no set and absolutely NO special effects, would be slightly better-bred - not rich and famous, but just a bit more versed in common decency and manners. It does not require money to know when shorts are appropriate. It does not require money to present oneself with dignity. A comfortable, but presentable pants-suit for the women would be fine. There are numerous casual options that look dressy enough for a matinee - and they don't cost much.
Guess my best friend and I - and the other 8 ladies violated the official Philadelphia dress code - "THE BIGGEST SLOB WINS."
THEY DESERVED A BETTER AUDIENCE!!!!!!!!
Philadelphia added a new definition to the term "Ignorant Slob." Okay - a matinee does not call for the glitter of an evening performance, but it certainly calls for a certain level of dress. Easily one-half of the audience wore shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers!!!!!! Where were they going, the bowling alley? They were dressed worse than actors dress for rehearsal. Now for the kicker - these were ADULTS, many over 40. Out of the 100 or so people in this intimate cabaret setting audience, maybe 10 of us were in dresses or skirts.
Have people gotten so casual and so disrespectful of themselves and others that they want to be seen as slobs? What an insult to the actors to perform to a bunch of shorts and t-shirts!
Philadelphia was not hot yesterday, actually quite comfortable, so the weather is no excuse. This is not a famous musical like "Carousel," which was performed downstairs on the main stage of this theater. So, one would assume that people who are acquainted with Sondheim, especially this production which virtually has no set and absolutely NO special effects, would be slightly better-bred - not rich and famous, but just a bit more versed in common decency and manners. It does not require money to know when shorts are appropriate. It does not require money to present oneself with dignity. A comfortable, but presentable pants-suit for the women would be fine. There are numerous casual options that look dressy enough for a matinee - and they don't cost much.
Guess my best friend and I - and the other 8 ladies violated the official Philadelphia dress code - "THE BIGGEST SLOB WINS."
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